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Author Archive for KW – Page 37

BPA Warning of Invalid Server Containers after Migrating to SBS 2011

by KW · Comments (0)
May 21 2012

If you migrated to SBS 2011 from an earlier version of SBS, you may encounter an issue where users are unable to send mail to mail-enabled public folders. If you run the SBS 2011 Best Practices Analyzer, it will report he following warning:

There are empty Servers containers

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This issue is easily resolved by using ADSI Edit to remove the empty Servers container. The BPA warning does not give you the specifics on how to do this, so I’ve included some instructions and screen snapshots of the process.

Warning: Using ADSI Edit incorrectly can cause issues with your server. Similar to warnings that you see when using Registry Edit, it is recommended that you have a backup of your server before proceeding.

Step 1: Start up ADSI Edit and access the Configuration connection

  • Start the ADSI Edit utility by clicking Start –> then type: adsiedit.msc and click OK
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  • When the ADSI Edit window displays, in the left frame under ADSI Edit, you may only see an entry for “Default naming context [server.domain.local]”.
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  • If so, right click on “Default naming context”, and then click Settings. Under the section “Select a well known Naming Context”, click on the drop down box, select Containers and then click OK.
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  • Your left frame should now look something like this:
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Step 2: Drill down Configuration to CN=Servers

  • Drill down Configuration –> CN=Configuration,DC=domain,DC=local –> CN=Services 
  • Continue drilling down CN=Microsoft Exchange –> CN=domain –> CN=Administrative Groups –> CN=first administrative group
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  • Expand CN=Servers and verify that there are no server objects listed
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  • Right click on the empty CN=Servers container and click Delete
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Rerun BPA and the warning message should no longer display!

For more details on this issue and its resolution, please check out Microsoft’s Windows Server Essentials and Small Business Server Blog site.

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Categories : SMB
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Both Sides Now

by KW · Comments (0)
May 12 2012

For many years, I wrote a “song of the week” – parodies of popular songs. I woke up this morning with this song on the brain, and just had to do it some (in)justice. Some of you may be too young to remember Joni Mitchell and one of her best known songs, “Both Sides Now” (circa 1967-68)

Here’s a video of her singing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcrEqIpi6sg

And the original lyrics: http://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=83

Both Sides Now:

Picture of CloudsRows and rows of promises
Telling us we should make a wish
With deserted hardware everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way

But now they only think it’s fun
To share their data with everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

Loads and loads of mobile apps
Telling the world just where you’re at
And ev’ry facebook post will say
That clouds may be the only way

But now it’s just another show
You give them hope and take their dough ($)
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From win and lose, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I don’t trust
I really can’t say clouds are bust

Tears and fears when compromised
Hackers now have got inside
All your schemes are push aside
They’re watching you each day

But now your friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say you’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In using clouds each day

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s cloud’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

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Categories : News, Songs

BPA How to UNDO a “Do Not Show Me” Choice

by KW · Comments (0)
May 10 2012

Installing and running the Best Practices Analyzer for your SBS server is strongly recommended. In addition to identifying errors that you need to address, the BPA may also generate a list of warnings that you should review.

You may determine that a particular BPA event is not applicable to your server, and you do not want to keep seeing it. That’s easily handled by clicking on the “Do not show me this item again for all instances” option – which will hide that event when viewing or generating a BPA report.

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But, what if you accidentally selected the wrong item to hide? How do you get it back?

Well, the answer is simple, but perhaps not intuitive.

With your BPA report on display, change the “Select Report Type” from “List Reports” to “Other Reports” and, voila, you will see a list of BPA events that you previously selected to not show. Locate the event you wish to unhide and click on the “Show me this item again for all instances” option.

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P.S. Please note that there are different versions of the Best Practices Analyzer for SBS 2003, SBS 2008, and SBS 2011.

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Categories : SBS, Servers
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Save the SBSC

by KW · Comments (0)
May 03 2012

SBSC is the acronym for Microsoft Small Business Specialist Community –  a recognition of one’s expertise in marketing, planning, and building solutions for small businesses. This program was first put into place back ion July, 2005.

SBSClogo

It appears that Microsoft is planning to retire the SBSC program over the next 12 months, and replace it with a more costly competency process, and one that does not highlight the needs and requirements of small businesses.

SaveSBSC

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Categories : News

Notes for Windows 7

by KW · Comments (0)
May 01 2012

Yes, this info may be a bit dated, but as it may be helpful to someone who reads my blogs, it doesn’t hurt to post it.

One thing I really liked about Vista was its Notes gadget app. The Sticky notes in Windows 7 is nice, but I don’t care to have a bunch of sticky notes literally all over my desktop. I recently stumbled over someone who was able to repackage the Vista Notes gadget for installation and use with Windows 7.

But first — there’s a little trick to getting it installed on your Windows 7 system. And before we can install it, we need to tell Windows to display file extensions (like .doc, .zip, etc.). And here’s how you do that:

Click on Windows Start icon –> Computer –> Organize –> Folder & Search Options. Click on the View tab, and then UNcheck the ‘Hide extensions for known file types’ options. Then close those windows.

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Now, click on the link below to download the zip file, and click to ‘Save As’ and save the file to your favorite folder – but don’t open the save file yet!

Download Notes Gadget for Windows 7

Now, here come’s the trick!

After saving the zip file, you should have options to either ‘Open’ or ‘Open Folder’. Click on the ‘Open Folder’ option.

This will open up a Windows Explorer window, with the Notes.zip file highlighted. Right click on the file, click on the Rename option, and rename the file from Notes.zip to Notes.gadget. You will get a warning about changing file extensions, but click Yes to proceed.

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Once you’ve renamed it, double-click on the Notes.gadget file, and then click on the Install button. You will now have the Vista version of Sticky Notes on your desktop.

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Finally here’s a nice one page Dummies Guide to Using Vista Notes!

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Categories : News

Windows Defender Offline

by KW · Comments (0)
Apr 27 2012

Microsoft recently released Windows Defender Offline (WDO), which is a standalone CD/USB bootable rootkit/malware scanner program. If you have a computer that will not start up properly because of malware, try WDO.

WDO is essentially the new name for the Microsoft’s Standalone System Sweeper (MSSS).

There are separate versions of WDO for scanning 32-bit and 64-bit systems. From a “good” computer, download the appropriate version of WDO and run the executable. It will prompt you to install it on a CD, create an ISO image, or create a bootable USB stick. You can then use the CD/USB on the infected computer.

WDO can be used to scan Windows XP (SP3), Vista, and Windows 7 systems.

My recommendation for I.T. technicians is to grab two USB sticks, and install the 32 bit version on one, and the 64 bit version on the other, and keep them in your toolkit.

One nice thing with WDO is that if the infected computer does have internet access, when you boot up WDO, it will go out and look for updated definition files.

Finally, you may find Microsoft Resources and Guidance for Removal of Malware and Viruses helpful.

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Categories : Malware, Security, Windows
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All By Myself

by KW · Comments (0)
Apr 27 2012

I can’t take credit for this song parody. My good MVP and fellow parody writer, Mick, put this down after reflecting on Windows Server 2012 Essentials product, and how in earlier versions of SBS, Exchange setup has always been automated.

Video: “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen

When SBS was young,
It never needed anyone,
And doin’ SMB was sorrta fun,
THESE DAYS ARE GONE.

Serve alone,
All our friends gone home,
But when I dial the telephone
Nobody’s home

ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA BE
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE
ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA SERVE
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE

Hard to be sure,
Sometimes they sound so insecure
Their words so distant and obscure
What is the cure?

ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA BE
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE
ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA SERVE
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE

When SBS was young
We always thought life was fun
And usin’ wizards to get things done
These days are gone

ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA BE
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE
ALL BY MYSELF,
DON’T WANNA WORK
ALL BY MYSELF, ANYMORE

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Categories : SBS, Songs
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SPF Record Wizard

by KW · Comments (0)
Apr 26 2012

The OpenSpf organization used to provide a tool for creating an SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record for mail server/domain. But that tool has been retired.

Microsoft offers their own Sender Id/SPF Wizard tool that is very easy to use, as seen in these screenshots:

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Step 1: Enter your domain

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Step 2: Obtain current publicly published DNS records

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Step 3: Configure your SPF options

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Step 4: Generate your SPF record

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Now go to your domain control panel or contact your vendor to add your SPF record. You may then test your SPF by sending test emails, as described on the OpenSpf organization’s website.

Comments (0)
Categories : Exchange, SBS, Security

14 MVPs on SMB 150 List

by KW · Comments (0)
Apr 26 2012

Recently, I was selected to the SMB 150  List for 2012 – 150 people recognized for their work in promoting and working in the small/medium business I.T. Industry. Today, it was announced that of those 150 winners,  14 of them are Microsoft MVP’s, of which I am one. So, I am doubly honored, but not for the award and recognition.

No, I am honored because I can call so many of these people my friends. I know that as hard as they work to make their business a success and work to make their customers successful, they work equally hard trying to make this world a better place.

14 Microsoft MVPs Recognized as Part of the 2012 SMB 150 List

SMB 150

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Categories : News, SBS

DNS Changer Malware Check-Up

by KW · Comments (0)
Apr 23 2012

I will keep it simple, without a lot of detail. On July 9, 2012 there is the possibility of a widespread Internet blackout due to a malicious piece of software that is lying dormant on many computers. You can read more about it at the FBI website: http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911.

The good news is that you can do an immediate test to see if your computer is infected with this rogue software! Click on this website link: (http://www.dns-ok.us/) to quickly check your computer. No software is installed and no changes to your computer is made. You will get either an immediate Green (good) or Red (infected) message. If you are infected, the website will explain how to fix it, or you can contact me for assistance.

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Categories : Malware, News
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